Forced Choice

Additional Info

Care for the team's health and give them a comfortable environment to reduce stress.

Materials:

Laminated identity signs and masking tape

Race

Gender

Socio-economic class

Sexual orientation

Immigration status

Ability/disability status

Religion

Age

Procedure:

Set Up:Post the 8 signs around the perimeter of the room so that they are accessible to the group moving to them. Ask the group to come together to the center of the room for instructions. Overview that there are two parts to this activity. One is a silent/reflective part when we are together in the center of the room and one is a sharing part once everyone has made a choice for that statement.

DirectionsFacilitating process: Explain that you are going to read a statement that they will choose one of the 8 parts of their identity to complete it. Each person should be encouraged to self-reflect and choose for themselves where they will go in the room. Emphasize that this is the silent part. Once participants have made a "choice" ask them to share in small groups of 3-4 why they selected that part of their identity to complete the statement. Allow for several minutes of discussion and then ask them to return (silently) to the center of the room. Read aloud another statement and repeat the process above.

Statements:The part of my identity that I am most aware of on a daily basis is_________The part of my identity that I am the least aware of on a daily basis is_______The part of my identity that was most emphasized in my family growing up was ________The part of my identity that I would like to explore further is _________The part of my identity that that serves as my primary compass for my work style is ______The part of my identity that garners me the most privilege is _______The part of my identity that I believe is the most misunderstood by others is_____The part of my identity that I feel is difficult to discuss with others who identify differently ______

Debriefing:

Discuss what the activity was like to do - people often name that they didn't realize how much they have in common with one another or that they were surprised about how they answered the questions.

Build off of comments that may address that it was difficult, or that participants don't often think about all the parts of their identities

Discuss how thinking about self and what impact our identities has on being an educator, student, leader, team player, etc...

Testimonial

"Project Managers can really benefit from MVT. I love the meetings they facilitate with all the team leaders, they are fun and help us reconnect with our job and purpose." Janina Ohlemüller - Project Manager